The Old Man and the Sea (1999) User Reviews (18)

"The fish is my brother, but I must kill him."

[ackstasis · 9/10 · 13 June 2007]

Based on Ernest Hemingway's 1952 novella of the same name, Aleksandr Petrov's 'The Old Man and the Sea' is a masterpiece of animated short films, taking a classic story and offering it a beauty that only Petrov could accomplish. Completed over two and a half years, the film was created using paint-on-glass animation, a technique which uses slow-drying pastel oil paints on glass sheets. Running for approximately 20 minutes, the film is comprised of more than 29,000 paintings, each frame a veritable work of art. 'The Old Man and the Sea' was the first animated short film to be released in IMAX format, and I can only imagine how breathtaking it would have been on such a large screen. Alas, I was forced to settle for my minuscule computer monitor, but perhaps I'll get my chance someday.

The film traces the fortunes of an old man named Santiago, who has had a proud, adventure-filled life, and now whittles away his days fishing alone on the ocean, usually without catching anything. His young apprentice, Mandolin, despite being forbidden by his parents to go fishing with the old man, visits everyday, and the old man would often regale Mandolin with the exciting stories of his lifelong travels, of elephants and tigers and the ocean. On this particular fishing trip, Santiago comes up against a magnificent marlin, which takes the bait but refuses to give in. The old man feels that, despite he and the fish being brothers, it is his duty to kill the marlin, and only in doing so can he prove his worth.

The wonderful animation of 'The Old Man and the Sea' is startlingly realistic, but the effect of the oil-on-glass also gifts it with a certain dream-like quality. The ocean is a vast heaving body of blue, a character in itself, and the marlin which lurks in its depths is an immense creature of great dignity. The moment when the struggling marlin tries unsuccessfully to escape by hurtling itself magnificently into the open air is truly affecting. The beauty of this film must be seen to be believed, and the 2000 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film was certainly not undeserved.

A mind-blowing animated feature short film!

[CinematicGarbage · 8/10 · 1 May 2019]

The Old Man and the Sea (1999), directed by Aleksandr Petrov, is a short animated feature film based on Ernest Hemingway's novel with the same name. It was animated using paint-on-glass animation, a technique that used slow-drying pastel oil paints on glass sheet. There were 29,000 paintings in this 20-minute film and it was the first movie to be released in IMAX format. Based on the novel, an old man named Santiago, the main protagonist, who had a life filled with adventures and now he was old, he went fishing all by himself, usually caught nothing. And there's his apprentice, Mandolin, whose parents prohibited him to go fishing with Santiago. Everyday he visited the old man and heard stories about his travels and journeys with wildlife and oceanlife. On his fishing trip, he spotted a huge marlin, tried to catch it but failed. He thought about despite being a brother of fish, he had to kill that marlin (it's his mission) and he could prove his worth in doing so. The movie looked like in reality, but the paint-on-glass made it a lot better like a dream and really satisfying. It really deserved the Best Animated Short Film from the Oscars in 2000. It's gonna be remembered by many audiences.

Astonishingly beautiful.

[Marwan-Bob · 8/10 · 29 August 2019]

What a Beautiful animation, I really love this style of art, It fits Perfectly the mood of the story as well.

The closest way from the heart of an artist to the masterwork:

[Galina_movie_fan · 10/10 · 2 August 2007]

"The Old Man and the Sea" (1999) directed by Aleksandr Petrov is a 20 minutes long animation based on Ernest Hemingway's 1952 novella of the same name. Petrov's film was awarded Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2000. More than two years of painting on glass sheets, using brushes but mostly his own fingers, resulted in over 29,000 paintings that enabled Petrov to produce this absolutely awesome, one of the kind feast of colors, images, and emotions that celebrate the famous work of literature and its creator. I have watched it perhaps ten times during the last weekend. I am still overwhelmed by its beauty and depth, and the admiration for what human imagination, creativity, and talent are capable of producing. The extremely rare technique made the film both incredibly realistic and magically dream-like. The director himself gave us the key to understanding his work when he explained that painting with his fingers instead of brushes, "is the closest way from the heart to the cartoon". He put his own heart in every scene of the film, and that's probably why every image is alive, breathing, and shining.

A veritable masterpiece!

[matatigre36 · 10/10 · 28 October 2004]

I first saw this movie in the Spring of 2001, and it is truly one of the best films I have ever seen. Mr. Petrov not only does a magnificent job of depicting the story of the Old Man and the Sea, but also gives tribute the life of Ernest Hemmingway in a way that is true to the man. I still remember many affecting lines from Hemmingway's journal that are included in the movie (though not verbatim, otherwise I might leave some here). I left the theater with a changed perspective on life and its importance.

Needless to say, I would love to be able to see this movie again. However, because it was in IMAX format in theaters, it has never been released on DVD or VHS, at least to my knowledge it hasn't. I hope someday the means will be provided to release the movie in a format for private viewers to purchase. That day may never arrive though. Thus, if you ever have the chance to see this movie in an IMAX theater, don't let it pass you by!

Achingly beautiful short and deserving of the Oscar

[llltdesq · 10/10 · 11 November 2007]

I just saw this short a couple of days ago and was very impressed with the beautiful and striking detail-in the backgrounds, the characters, the movement-everything was simply gorgeous. There will be slight spoilers:

This is a short animated adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's novella The Old Man and the Sea and does very well by the source material. With only 20 minutes to work with as a running time, even a novella must be significantly abridged, but the main points are well covered here-the old man's struggles, his bout with the fish he ultimately catches, his problems getting his prize back to shore-all are told in a clear and concise manner. The narration is extremely effective and enhances the beautiful visual elements perfectly.

Though it tells Hemingway's story well, this is, at its heart, a feast for the eyes. The oil on glass technique used makes colors jump off the screen. It reminded me (favorably) of the work of Frederic Back, which is also visually stunning. This short is definitely a piece of art by any definition.

It can be found on more than one DVD release-the one I purchased was an IMAX version and also includes another short (Hemingway: A Portrait) and a "Making of" featurette on both shorts and is well worth having. Most highly recommended.

unreal

[caprat5544 · 10/10 · 26 May 2008]

the most unbelievable animation in decades...i am an amateur animator and perhaps from that perspective the film may seem more incredible, but that doesn't take away from the fact that aleksandr petrov is an absolute master of his craft. i was told by a friend that there are only a handful of "painting" animators in the world...those that animate via paint, and after seeing this i believe that he may very well be the rembrandt of animation. for any of you that are fans of both art forms (painting and animation, and lets face it... fans of anything that is stupefyingly incredible on this scale), this is what you need to watch. in the vein of winsor mckay and the old school masters of cel animation, petrov has re-instituted animation as an ARTform...not some Disney and terrible anime. this is worth spending the 20 minutes to watch...if only to feel deeply inadequate yourself.

pure beauty

[Vincentiu · 31 August 2014]

a film who could surprise if the name of Alexandr Petrov is unknown. if not, it is only expression of subtle, touching and high art. a slice of pure beauty, homage to a great story and to its author. the images are almost magic. because behind each the passion, the hard work, the patience and the perseverance are signs of a kind of mystery. a film about a fight and a dream.out of words, far by definitions. it is a great animation and that fact is the secret for who not only admiration is the answer of spectator to it. something who seems be the childhood flavor and the grace of great dreams are ingredients of it. a film like a challenge. and like a refuge.

Decent animated version of the famous story

[Horst_In_Translation · 6/10 · 28 September 2013]

There's no denying that Aleksandr Petrov has his very own style of animation. And maybe this uniqueness was it what led him to Glory around the turn of the 21st century. His 20-minute long interpretation of the Hemingway story "The Old Man and the Sea" is a thing of beauty and you could probably take any random shot from the film, print an enlarged version of it and hang it into your living room. The film looks definitely much older than 1999 and meets the truest definition of motion picture as it's clearly an art in progress, like a work that consists of many beautiful paintings.

I won't go into much detail about the story. It's an interesting one with many clever symbolisms, but it doesn't really hold a candle to the visual side. A must-see for animation lovers and a good time for everybody else as well. I wonder if Petrov will ever do a full feature film. Probably not looking too good as he only made one other film after "The Old Man and the Sea" and this was already roughly six years ago as well. Also, it's been almost 15 years since this was made and I believe this is the most recent version of the tale put on screen, so we may be in for a new one soon as well, hopefully as good as this one.

Wow--another great animated film by Aleksandr Petrov

[planktonrules · 10/10 · 13 February 2008]

When I saw this film was made by Aleksandr Petrov, I knew it had to be special. Even before this film received the Oscar for Best Short Animated Film, he was already well-known for his short films since he'd been nominated for Oscars in this same category for THE COW and MERMAID. All three of these films are breathtaking to watch--with the most amazing animation I have ever seen. Instead of traditionally cartoon-like animation or CGI, his films are like living and moving paintings--looking like something that should be in an art museum--not in a theater. They are simply gorgeous.

As for THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA, it easily deserved to win the Oscar--being yet another great Petrov film. The only odd thing about it is that it was made in English and French and when I saw it I was surprised because I expected Russian! Still, a gorgeous and faithful adaptation of the book and far better than the Spencer Tracy version of the tale.

The Old Man and the Sea

[CinemaSerf · 7/10 · 7 April 2024]

Aleksandr Petrov's adaptation of this Ernest Hemingway story is quite exquisite to watch. An opening sequence that illustrates the beauty of the animal kingdom gives way to the old man and the boy looking out over the sea. He is tired, doesn't want to eat and hasn't caught a fish for over a week. Fortunately for them, the youngster fishes with the "lucky boat" so they won't starve. Next day, vows the old man, he just knows if he ventures far enough out to sea, he will catch something. A small fish takes his line, ideal bait for something bigger - and that bigger fish duly arrives for a battle royal. If you know the story, then you'll know what happens next and of the lessons the older man learns. It's a poignant story about endurance and pride, but also about knowing your own limitations and learning how to share and to rely on others. An hard series of lessons for a man set in his ways and determined to provide. The water-borne animation is a joy to watch, the detail contrasts beautifully with the grand scale of the location and the facial expressions are windswept and natural to watch. At times the whole thing looks like a succession of gorgeous paintings and really is a delight to watch.

Beautiful short

[Rectangular_businessman · 10/10 · 16 June 2010]

This short is one adaptation of the book of Ernest Hemighway, by the Russian animator, Aleksandr Petrov (Which, along with Yuriy Norshteyn is one of the greatest Russian animators of the history)

The visual technique of the short is paint on glass, and it looks absolutely beautiful, filled with a incredible level of detail. Every single frame looks like a painting, but not only the animation is beautiful to look at, but also the narration used by Petrov it's simply wonderful and mesmerizing, combining dream-like sequences with a unique, fantastic animation. I highly recommend this short to anyone, especially those who enjoy different styles of animation. No wonder why this won the Academy award to Best short in 1999.

A gorgeous little masterpiece.

more than masterpiece

[Kirpianuscus · 22 August 2016]

a well known text. and more that. impressive realism. and touching poetry. a masterpiece, without doubt. but on who inspires so emotion than transforms each moment in a surprise. because it is more Hemingway than Santiago in this story about memories - dreams, confessions, terrible fight, disillusion, pain and broke of expectation. it is almost a Hasidic story. or a parable. out of lines of text, out of expectations of viewer. a kind of magic. not surprising for the public of Alexander Petrov. but out of words. because his art has him. a gift. a miracle. open of new perspective of reality. that is all. and it is enough. because The Old Man and the Sea by Alexander Petrov is more than a magnificent adaptation. it is one of the most impressive confessions as part of unique art.

One Great Story

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 28 June 2019]

This Hemingway staple has all of the tensions inherent in a life lived. The old man knows that his task is huge, but facing death and failure is better than living in safety. The seamless animation and waves of beautiful sea images take us on the journey. One of the finest examples of short animation to ever be seen.

Did you catch the Easter Eggs?

[Speekeezy · 10/10 · 29 June 2019]

There are some nice little "easter eggs:" There's the Hills like white elephants in the African Beaches scene and Spencer Tracy cameos as one of the referees in the arm wrestling contest. Nice touch! I wonder, did the contest take place in a dirty, poorly lighted place on purpose? Okay, yeah I'm pushing it a bit there.

One thing bothered me. A fisherman of Santiago's years would never allow his lines to get so messed up as depicted in this short. It's far too dangerous: easy to get tangled up in it, pulled over and drowned like some latter day Captain Ahab. I get it, Petrov was using the disarray to exemplify the ordeal as a way of making up for the brevity but it just fails to ring true. In the 1958 movie note how tidy the coils of line always are. Taken, I suspect, directly from Hemingway's novella though a can't remember for sure, it has been a while.

It's a testament to Hemingway's power as a writer that in his novella -- a long short story really -- the fisherman's cosmic struggle really seems daunting, exhausting and the reader simply wants to collapse on the bed in anticlimax. This animated short comes up a bit, well, short in that regard TBH though it certainly makes up for it in the magnificence of its animation. After painting, manipulating and filming some 29,000 glass cells, Petrov's task must have seemed an equal to that of Santiago.

Moving

[bevo-13678 · 10/10 · 16 December 2020]

I laughed. I cried. Then laughed cried and did a little bit of wee wee in my pants

A true masterpiece

[eneselma · 10/10 · 8 August 2023]

I would like to review this wonderful film, a visually stunning adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's classic novel of the same name. Directed by Aleksandr Petrov, this animated film captures the essence of the original story while presenting it in a unique and captivating way. The most striking aspect of the movie is its breathtaking animation style. Petrov used a technique called "paint on glass" animation, where he painted each frame on a glass surface. The result of this painstaking process is a truly artistic and mesmerizing visual experience. The film's use of color, texture and fluidity of movement creates a dreamlike atmosphere that draws the viewer into the world of the old fisherman Santiago and his epic battle with a giant marlin. The story closely follows Hemingway's novel, focusing on Santiago's lonely journey into the sea in pursuit of a powerful fish. The film captures the essence of Santiago's determination, his relationship with the sea and the inner struggles he faces throughout his ordeal. The film effectively explores themes of perseverance, endurance and the complex relationship between man and nature. The pace of the film may feel slow to some viewers as it takes time to delve deeper into Santiago's thoughts and emotions, but this pace allows the viewer to connect more deeply with the character and appreciate the philosophical and existential undertones of the story. The voice acting, especially that of the main character Santiago, is extremely well done and adds depth and authenticity to the characters. The lack of excessive dialog makes the movie all the better as it allows the animation and visuals to convey much of the emotion and meaning of the story. While it is a well-crafted adaptation, it may not be suitable for those looking for fast-paced action or elaborate plots. It is a thoughtful film that succeeds in its artistic presentation and the emotional resonance it creates through its simplicity. It stands as a remarkable cinematic achievement. Its innovative animation style, combined with a faithful adaptation of Hemingway's story, results in a film that is both visually captivating and emotionally evocative. This is a must-see for those who appreciate the artistry of animation and enjoy thought-provoking narratives that explore the human spirit and its connection to the natural world. My score is 10.

great literature, bad production

[qqml · 2/10 · 25 September 2020]

Terrible quality of animation, so blurred and hard to see even the faces. It's the classic literature but poorly made movie.